I tried Dollar Rent A Car on a recent trip to Phoenix for the first time in a couple of years. I typically look for the best rate among what I call the "second tier" car rental companies... Not Hertz or Avis, but not Ed's Drive-It-Yourself Car Rental & Aluminum Siding either. Dollar's rate was competitive and I figured it would comparable to my recent experiences with Thrifty and Enterprise; you make a reservation, get a rate, rent the car, return it undamaged with a full tank and pay the amount you were quoted.
Not so at Dollar Rent A Car.
When I rented the car, they asked if there would be any additional drivers. I said, "Yes, my wife." So, they asked for her driver's license along with mine and we went through the usual rental car routine about additional insurance coverage and refueling options.
Ten days later, when I returned the car, the automated receipt I got from the lot attendant seemed a little "steep", but I had a flight to catch. I'd sort it out later. Imagine my surprise the next day, when in the comfort of my own home, I discovered that I had been charged $81.51 MORE than the quoted rate.
Turns out that adding my wife added sixty bucks to the bill, which in turn increased the tax, the airport recovery fee, something called the FRQFLYRECSRG, and probably an attendant's wardrobe allowance, rental counter Formica depreciation, a fluffy toilet paper in the bathroom surcharge, etc., etc., etc. That $60.00 magically exploded to $81.51.
When I contacted Dollar, their "Customer Advocate", Mary Graham responded: "Effective December 1 Dollar Rent A Car charges for all additional drivers, including spouses. Due to potential discrimination litigation surrounding same sex partners, the policy was enacted in order to treat every customer equally."
Uhhh, sure. I feel so much better now. I have a "Customer Advocate" at Dollar looking out for my best interests. At least according to company policy they screw every customer equally.
At no point did anyone at Dollar inform me that adding my wife to the rental agreement would boost the bill, plus I have never paid for an extra driver at other car rental agencies. But there it was in the fine print of the original agreement... Additional driver, $6.00/day. Sorry, but it just seems a little sneaky to me. No, I take that back. It seems A LOT sneaky to me. At best, Dollar is not being up front with their customers. It's also quite likely they are being downright dishonest.
Bottom Line: Regardless of how long the line is behind you at the rental counter and how much of a hurry you're in, carefully read the contract. Don't take anything for granted. Above all, don't trust Dollar. They rank below Ed's Drive-It-Yourself Car Rental & Aluminum Siding.
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